Category Archives: Thoracic Spine

What is a Bulging Disk in Back or Neck?

A bulging disc is a back or neck issue that tends to occur over time due to age or repettitve compression in that area. Bulging disks can happen from an accident, but are more likely to be herniated in this situations. A bulging disc is when the center of the disk is putting pressure on the outer wall of a disc and is bulging out of the spinal canal. A herniated disc is when the outer wall of a disc ruptures and is protruding out of the spinal canal. It is important to understand that a bulging disc is different from a herniated disc. Many with a bulging disc are capable of eliminating most of the symptoms through bulging disc treatment options. When a disc becomes herniated, the disc cannot be healed on it’s own and surgery may be the only option.

Bulging Disc Symptoms

Some people may not feel the symptoms of bulging disk because the bulge may not be pinching a nerve. A bulging disc can be quite painful and sometimes even debilitating. Bulging disc symptoms can vary depending where it’s located on the spine. Shooting pain, numbness, and tingling in surrounding areas and limbs are quite common. Some people go through life having a bulging disk but don’t even know it because they don’t have any symptoms. Those who do have bulging disk symptoms have the following treatment options before considering surgery: physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, pain medication, epidural shots, and core strengthening bulging disc exercises.

Bulging Disc Exercises You Can Do

If you are looking for bulging disc treatment exercises, consider trampolines. Small, basic moves on a trampoline can be a good option for this bulging disc. The trampoline helps to strengthen your core. Your lower back needs to be strengthened, as this will strengthen the lower back. A stronger lower back will allow the bulging disc to heal quicker and easier. Be sure to not go overboard, as too much work could worsen your condition. If you are dealing with a bulging disc, there are some exercises that you should avoid. A bulging disc will be aggravated by most abdominal exercises.

Working with a Chiropractor

A chiropractor will be your best treatment option when looking for the right bulging disc treatment. Thoracic vertebrae can be difficult to deal with if you do not fully understand how to correctly engage them. A chiropractor will be able to carefully and correctly administer bulging disc treatment. Chiropractor treatment could include massaging along with some realignment and readjusting.

Other Options

There are other options for bulging disc treatment. Lower back pain like this can be taken care of through surgery, if necessary. The pain can also be aided by other forms of bulging disc treatment. Epidural treatments can take care of some of the pain as individuals with a bulging disc work on fixing the bulging disc. Consider all bulging disc treatment options before you make your decision.

Fortunately, a bulging disk rarely requires surgery. You can go through multiple treatments that aim to relieve the pain from this back issue. By using multiple treatments on the pain, you can relieve your pain as quickly as possible. If you think that you are suffering from this specific back issue, talk to your doctor. They will be able to confirm or deny your suspicions, and will be able to direct you towards the best treatments available if you are suffering from a bugling disc.

4 Tips for Spinal Disc Surgery

Spinal disc surgery may be the only way for someone to get over their back pain. Spinal discs can bulge and herniated, needing this surgery to fully recover. If you are looking at spinal disc surgery, it is important for you to understand as much as you can about surgery. You need this knowledge to fully understand your options, what you are up against, and what you need to do to recovery fully. These four tips will help you to have that information.

There are Different Levels of Treatment Needed

There are different levels of surgery needed for different spinal disc issues. There are some surgeries that are less invasive than others. The amount of pain you have will dictate your spinal disc surgery options. The amount of work you have during the surgery will be based on the amount of pain you have, and the movement of the disc itself. In general, the surgery will remove the part of the disc that is causing the issues with the nerves.

Surgery Isn’t your Only Treatment Method

There are some who believe that you must choose between surgery and no surgery when dealing with spinal disc surgery. Truth be told, there are multiple treatments that come with the surgery itself. While you may be heading for surgery, you may be asked to work with a chiropractor to work on the spine. You may also be asked to perform some back-strengthening exercises.

Therapy is Key

If you have spinal disc surgery, you are not done with your treatment after you have the surgery. Your back has obvious issues that have caused the initial disc problems. You will want to work with a physical therapist to work on that spinal disc. The physical therapist will help you to make your back more flexible, and to make your discs more flexible and strong.

Strengthen your Back

If you want to keep your back strong, you need to follow the workout of the physical therapist. You are also going to want to strengthen your back. After you are cleared by the doctor, work on strengthening your core, with both your abdominals and back muscles. This will help to keep your back from further issues, and may help relieve any lasting pain from your surgery.

You should understand the different levels of surgery, and the different options for surgery, before you decide on a final treatment option. Talk to your doctor about these different options to fully understand why the suggested surgery is right for your issues. You should also talk to your doctor about the post surgery process. Understand your timeline for movement and light exercise. While you do not want to rush this stage, you do not want to take too long. Both can be detrimental to your recovery. Use all of these tips to fully understand your spinal disc surgery.